The Philippine Embassy in Rome reported that it kicked-off its month-long festivities for June to commemorate the 113th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence and the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on May 30.

The Embassy observed the "Pambansang Araw ng Watawat" (National Flag Day) at the Embassy grounds with the singing of the Philippine national anthem and the recitation of the "Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas". 
Commission on Audit Chairperson Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan and her delegation were the special guests of the Embassy during the occasion.

On June 4, the Embassy organized the Independence Day Ball at the Ergife Hotel in Rome, in collaboration with the Philippine Independence Day Association (PIDA).

The ball was attended by Embassy officers and staff, members and friends of the Filipino community and Italian local officials.

During the ball, Ambassador Romeo L. Manalo officially launched the project "Le Filippine...il Paese...il Popolo...E Molto Di Piu!," a photographic mobile exhibit that showcased the characteristics and achievements of Filipinos, the history, culture and tourist sites of the Philippines, and information of Philippine-Italian relations.

"A Guidebook for Filipinos in Italy", published in both the Italian and Filipino languages, was also presented and distributed for free during the ball.

On June 5, the Independence Day Thanksgiving Mass was held at the historic center in the Basilica di Santa Pudenziana, where the Sentro Pilipino Chaplancy is based.

The annual Independence Day celebration with the Filipino community was held at Piazza Ankara on June 12.

The celebration consisted of a parade of different Filipino organizations/associations, cultural presentations, and an entertainment afternoon hosted by GMA 7 Pinoy TV artists such as Noel Gascon, Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero.

Open to the general public for free, the event attracted around 4,000 Filipinos from all over Italy.

On June 16, the Embassy facilitated the mounting and inauguration of the visual art exhibit entitled, "BAE MINDANAO," at the Museo Nazionale Preistorico Etnografico Luigi Pigorini.

The exhibit featured artworks of Filipino artists about Filipino women of Mindanao, and ran from June l5 to 20 at Museo Pigorini.

On June 19, the Embassy commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Rizal at the Teatro delle Emozioni through the inauguration of a photo exhibit about Rizal's life entitled RIZAL CHRONOLOGY, followed by the screening of the multiawarded movie Jose Rizal.